Apprenticeships: Powering a green future

Every time we stream, search or scroll, data centres are working in the background to keep everything connected. But what it takes to power them and the energy centres behind them is something most of us never see.

When a critical pump fails at a customer's busiest site just days before Christmas - and the people who need to fix it are all on annual leave - what happens next? In this episode of Our People Podcast from Veolia, we head north of the border to hear a brilliant story of remote collaboration, calm decision-making and trusted teamwork under real pressure. Stewart McKenzie, Business Development Lead for Building Energy Services North, takes the call while driving south on holiday. Ryan McGuinness, Pump Centre Supervisor at Hatton Waste Water Treatment Works, is also off. The customer? A drinks manufacturer facing a complete production shutdown in their peak week. The clock is ticking. What follows is a masterclass in how great teams operate when it matters most - coordinating across distance, communicating clearly under pressure, and backing each other to get the job done. From workshop to van to site, with a few unexpected technical challenges thrown in along the way. Stewart and Ryan also reflect on what this moment meant for the wider customer relationship - and why working with customers, not just for them, opens doors.

What does an apprenticeship really look like in practice, and who is it for?

Episode 26 of Our People Podcast tackles one of the most pressing safety challenges in the industry.

In this episode, we talk with Kris Phelps, Veolia's Inclusion and Wellbeing Lead, about creating truly inclusive workplaces. From his personal journey of why he is so focused on championing fairness at work, Kris shares why 'diversity is inevitable, but inclusion is a choice.' A thought-provoking conversation that proves inclusion isn't just about policies, it's about the everyday moments where we choose to see, hear, and value each other.